Among the many archaeological discoveries made in the excavations of Pompeii, election posters emerge as unique evidence of political life in the ancient Roman city. These fascinating finds provide us with an unprecedented opportunity to understand the workings of elections and the involvement of citizens in the political arena of the time.
Thanks to them, in fact, it was possible to understand that local elections were held annually and only free, emancipated, male citizens could vote.
But not only do they also provide us with important information about who the candidates were and what activities they were engaged in. Very often they even coincided with the owners of the houses on which the relevant posters were displayed.
So important news that allowed us to reconstruct the history of ancient Pompeii and the names of its inhabitants.
Find out who these important people of Pompeii were too, let an expert guide guide
The last election manifesto found in Pompeii
The election posters used anciently in Pompeii were frescoes painted on the walls outside homes and public spaces. Which were painted by candidates as propaganda tools, to attract the attention of citizens and persuade them to vote.
That is why the latest discovery made in Pompeii on September 28, 2023, surprised the archaeologists who made the sensational discovery in no small part.
An election poster present not outside the house, but inside next to the lararium.
A unique but not uncommon discovery, considering that Pompeians used to display their election posters outside their homes and stores.
An explanation for this unusual discovery was provided by scholars, who surmised that most likely the candidate used to hold dinners and events inside the house inviting relatives and friends to promote the campaign.
The site of the discovery
The election posters were found in a house in regio IX insula 10, next to the lararium painted with stucco snakes, on whose altar the remains of figs, dates and an egg were found. Probably signs of the last sacrifice before the eruption of Vesuvius.
Source Archaeological ParkBut not only within the dwelling an ancient bakery was also found.
This element reinforces the thesis always held by scholars that exchange votes were carried out in Pompeii.
Indeed, on the election manifesto appeared the name of Aulus Rustius Verus, a candidate for the office of aedile, already known from other inscriptions found in Pompeii .
But the painting was found in a house belonging to a supporter of the candidate, probably a friend.
At the time, builders and bakers collaborated with each other during elections. The initials of Aulus Rustius Verus engraved on a millstone found in the atrium of the house also testifies to how the candidate financed the bakery business.
The latest manifesto found in Pompeii allows us to understand even more about how elections were held in Pompeii, the participation of citizens, and the propaganda strategies used by political candidates of the time.
Thanks to these findings, we are able to deepen our understanding of Pompeii’s political and social organization.
